In this guide
The energy tax (energiebelasting) on your Dutch energy bill changes on 1 January 2027. Gas gets more expensive and electricity gets a little cheaper. The rates are in the Belastingplan 2027, the government’s tax plan, and are listed in the Fiscale sleuteltabel 2027 of the Ministry of Finance. Parliament still has to approve the plan, which normally happens in December.
These are the proposed rates for the first bracket, the one that covers a normal household, compared with 2026 (Belastingdienst):
| 2026, incl. 21% VAT | 2027 proposal, incl. 21% VAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity, per kWh | €0.11085 | €0.10648 |
| Gas, per m³ | €0.7268 | €0.7457 |
| Tax reduction per connection, per year | €628.96 | €628.69 |
Excluding VAT, the 2027 rates are €0.0880 per kWh and €0.6163 per m³, and the fixed tax reduction (belastingvermindering) is €519.58 per year. That reduction is a discount every home with an electricity connection gets, usually spread over your monthly payments. It stays almost the same.
Energy tax is a fixed amount per unit, not a percentage. It is the same whichever supplier you choose.
What does this mean for you?
For most homes the effect is small. A worked example for a home using 2,500 kWh of electricity and 1,000 m³ of gas a year: about €10.92 less tax on electricity, about €18.92 more on gas and €0.27 less discount. That adds up to roughly €8 more per year. A home without gas that uses 2,500 kWh pays about €11 less.
The energy tax is not the main driver of your 2027 bill. Grid operators want about 20% more for transport, as we wrote in Dutch grid charges set to rise about 20% in 2027. And the supply price, which you do control, can easily move by more than the tax.
What can you do now?
- Check your annual statement (jaarafrekening) for your actual use in kWh and m³, then use the rates above to see your own difference.
- Compare supply prices before winter in our guide to energy providers for expats.
- Thinking of switching? Read how switching your Dutch energy contract works and whether a dynamic or fixed contract suits you.